2 Samuel 15:4-6

15:4 Absalom would then say, “If only they would make me ¹  a judge in the land! Then everyone who had a judicial complaint ²  could come to me and I would make sure he receives a just settlement.”

15:5 When someone approached to bow before him, Absalom ³  would extend his hand and embrace him and kiss him. 15:6 Absalom acted this way toward everyone in Israel who came to the king for justice. In this way Absalom won the loyalty ⁴  of the citizens ⁵  of Israel.

[15:4]  ¹ tn Heb “Who will make me?”

[15:4]  ² tn Heb “a complaint and a judgment.” The expression is a hendiadys.

[15:5]  ³ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Absalom) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[15:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “stole the heart.”

[15:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “the men.”